Method and apparatus for making containers



G. F. FORD ET AL 2,065,441 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Dec. 22, 1936.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1955 IN l E N T0125 GEORGE F F 0120. WHL TEE F PITT/ IEN- f THE/2 ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1936. G. F. FORD ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VE N T025 GEORGE F'- FORD W441. TE E F Pl TTMIQN' THE/E ATTORNEY Dec. 22 1936. G. F. FORD ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Sep t. 1a, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOES 650265 F Pam WQLTER F P/TTMHN- 5442* d. 62%

THE/72 ATTORNEY Dec. 22-, 1936., G. F. FORD I AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 18, 19:55

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOES 650262 R r0212 wqL 752 1-- P] TTMA/v- BY l THE/E ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1936.

G. F. FORD AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 18, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /N 1/5 N T025 650265 F: FORD. W41. TEE F'- 1 TTMA/V.

THE/I2 ATTORNEY Patented en. 22, i936 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKIN- CONTAINERS Application September 18, 1935, Serial No. 41,074.

21 Claims Our invention relates to the making of egg containers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for setting up egg fillers and placing the same in cartons.

It is among the objects of our invention to provide means for rapidly and automatically setting up collapsed egg fillers.

Other objects of our invention include the provision of means for unfolding collapsed cartons, and for automatically placing the folded fillers in the opened cartons.

The'invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to this disclosure of species of our invention, as we may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side view of a collapsed filler which is set up by the machine of our invention; and

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a prespective view of the filler after being set up.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a partially opened carton, into which the filler is to be placed.

Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, are fragmentary views, largely diagrammatic, showing the various steps in setting up a filler; and

Fig. is a similar view showing the filler being removed from the folding devices. I

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, also largely diagrammatic, showing a filler about to be inserted in one of the cartons; and

Figure 12 is a similar view showing how the collapsed cartons are fed into the machine.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional View of the upper portions of our improved machine.

Figure 14 is a side view of the machine; and

Figure 15 is a detail sectional view of the rake trip.

Figure 16 is an end view of the machine with portions of the structure broken away to disclose certain elements more clearly.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional 7 method of our invention comprises distending the collapsed walls, erecting the partitions, and then moving the walls and partitions into lockingengagement.

Our method also comprises feeding the collapsed cartons to a position of rest, opening the cartons, and then positioning the erected fillers in the opened cartons. In our process, the opening of the cartons is timed with the setting up of the fillers, so that the cartons are successively opened in time to receive the erected fillers. The apparatus of our invention includes folding devices for automatically setting up the fillers; and also includes means timed with the setting up means, for unfolding the cartons. Means, also timed with the setting up means, are provided for receiving the fillers and depositing them in the cartons.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to the drawings, Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the type of egg filler which may be set up by the method and apparatus embodying our invention. The filler shown is of the type having collapsed walls and partitions, adapted to have its walls distended and its partitions erected to provide a cellular egg holding structure. It is understood that the principles of our invention are applicable generally to this type of filler; and not merely to the particular filler shown and chosen for purposes of illustration.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the collapsed filler chosen for purposes of illustration is creased and folded from a suitable blank to form a substantially flat elongated envelope, having side walls 2 and oppositely disposed infolded gussets 3 and 4. Referring particularly to Figure 1, the longer gusset l is provided with diagonal slots 6 to form tabs 7 foldably connected to the body of the en velopeby crease lines 8. The short gusset 3 of the collapsed wall structure is provided with locking hooksv 9, and the tabs on the gusset t are provided with looking apertures l I for receiving the hooks 9. In this partially folded or collapsed condition of the fillers they may be stacked together and packed into compact space for shipment by the manufacturer.

When completely folded into the set up or erected position shown in Figure 3, the shorter gusset 3 of the filler wall structure forms the ridge between the egg holding troughs, while the distended side walls 2 of the envelope form the side walls of the inverted Y-shaped trough forming member. When the longer gusset 4 is folded out flat, and the tabs 1 turned out on the crease lines 8, the tabs i form inverted V-shaped partition placed is shown in Figure 4.

members straddling the Y-shaped member. In the erected position of the filler, the hooks 9 are interengaged with the apertures II to lock the elements together. This filler is described in detail in our co-pending application Serial No. 7,946, filed February 25, 1935.

The collapsible carton into which the filler is This carton comprises an infoldable side wall l2 and end walls l3, adapted to collapse fiat against the back side wall l4 and cover l6. When the carton is collapsed, the tuck I1 is folded out fiat, and the bottom I9 is doubled back substantially parallel with the side wall l4, as will be readily understood. Preferably the carton is provided with leg flanges 2| extending downwardly as continuations of the side walls l2 and I4. When collapsed the cartons may be stacked together into compact space for shipment by the manufacturer. Such a carton is described in detail in the patent of Bruce F. Brown and George F. Ford, No. 1,876,200, issued September 6, 1932. Our present invention contemplates the provision of a machine for use by the consumer who receives the fillers and cartons in collapsed condition; which machine will automatically set up the fillers and deposit them in the cartons.

As best shown in Figures 5 to 9, the method and apparatus for setting up the fillers comprises holding the collapsed fillers in stacked relationship in a suitable chute 22, and reciprocating plate 23 under the chute so that the fillers are re moved one at a time. As illustrated in Figure 5, the leading edge of the plate 23 engages the infolded ridge forming gusset 3, and advances the collapsed filler until a pair of rotatably mounted fingers 24 engage the tabbed partition forming gusset 4.

As the plate 23 continues to advance, the holding fingers 24 rotate outwardly. This operates to distend the walls of the filler and unfold the tabbed gusset 4, as shown in Figure 6. The distending of the collapsed walls under these conditions forces the side walls of the filler into an inverted Y-shape, with the gusset 3 forming the ridge along the Y. After the gusset 4 has been unfolded fiat, rotation of the fingers 24 is stopped; but the plate 23 is continued in its advancing movement to press against the unfolded gusset 4 and force out the tabs 1. As soon as the tabs are tilted outwardly, the plate 23 is stopped. The tabs 1 now appear as shown in Figure 7, with the rakes 26 ready to move to the left to erect the tabs.

Figure 8 shows the tabs 1 after being turned out perpendicular to the walls of the filler. After the tabs or partitions l are erected, the rakes 26 are stopped, and the plate 23 again advanced to press the gusset 3 into interlocking engagement with the partitions 1. Figure 9 shows the plate 23 at the end of its advancing movement, with the gusset 3 of the wall structure interlocked with the erected partitions l. The filler is then grasped by a stripper bar 21, following which the fingers 24 are rotated to release the filler and the lower rake 28 dropped out o f the way. As shown in Figure 10, the bar 2] is swung outwardly to remove or strip the erected filler from the folding devices, and to position it for being grasped by the transfer arm 28.

Simultaneous with the setting up of the filler, a

' carton is fed forwardly to a position of rest, and

then unfolded to receive the filler. Figure 12 shows a collapsedcarton lying against a plate 29 p sitioned at the lower end of a chute 3|. A series of collapsed cartons are stacked in the chute, so that a lower carton is always pressed against the plate 29. The lower ends of the plate 29 and chute 3| are spaced to provide an opening through which the carton may be passed, and a spring pressed finger 32 is provided for controlling the discharge of the cartons through this ,ural spring in the cartons forces the folded portion of the inside carton against the plate 29. A slid'able lug 34 projects thru the plate 29 to engage the carton, and when a carton is to be fed out of the chute the lug 34 is moved downwardly to press the carton past the finger 32 and into a set of feed rolls 36.

As shown in Figure 11, another pair of feed rolls 3! are provided to receive a carton and discharge it on a reciprocating table 38. This table is shown in retracted position; with-a carton held on the table by a back stop 39 bearing down against the foot flange 2|, and by a hold down plate 4| bearing against the cover I6 and tuck ll. The opening of the carton is effected by a hook 42 mounted to lift up on the upper side wall 12; and the unfolding is further assisted by a plate 43 adapted to rotate inwardly against an end wall l3 of the. carton. Two of these plates are preferably provided, one for each end wall. Engagement of hook 42 with the carton wall is facilitated by an air blast issuing from a suitable nozzle 40. This nozzle is positioned to direct the blast so that air lifts up the folded walls of the carton. When so lifted, the hook 42 readily engages the wall.

Working in time with the unfolding of the carton, the transfer arm 23 receives a filler from the stripper bar 2! and swings it down into the open carton. During the insertion of the filler, the hook 42 and the plate 43 function as shoe horns to facilitate the entrance of the filler into the carton.

After a filler is inserted, the arm 28 is retracted, and the hold down elements 39 and 4| lifted. The table 38 then moves forwardly, with the end of the tuck caught under a lip 44, to move the carton and filler out of engagement with the hook 42 and plates 43. This movement also pushes previously filled cartons forwardly and out of the machine onto a suitable table or conveyor The general arrangement of the mechanism in the machine is illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 16. The frame 41 of the machine preferably comprises a pair of side plates connected by suitable tie rods 48. As best shown in Figure 14, a shaft 49 is journaled adjacent the lower portion of the frame, and is connected to a motor 5| by a suitable belt drive 52. The motor is preferably mounted on an adjustable bracket 53, so that the drive belt may be tightened. A main drive shaft 54 is provided adjacent the intermediate portions of the frame, and is connected to the shaft 49 by a suitable drive 56. Rotation of the shaft 54 is controlled by a clutch 51 interposed between the shaft and the drive 56. A suitable lever 58 is The main cam shaft 59 is connected to the lower shaft 1| of the feed rolls- 31 by a chain drive 12 including an idler sprocket 13. In order to'provide a positive drive, the feed roll shafts 66 and H are connected by spur gears 14 (see Figure 16).

As best shown in Figures 13 and 14, the, vertical chute 22 for holding the stacked fillers is mounted on the upper end of the frame 41; and the. reciprocating plate 23 is slidably mounted in horizontal guideways 16 provided on the frame under the chute. A plate 11 underlying the reciprocating plate 23 and secured to the frame 41 by suitable brackets 10, is preferably provided for supporting the fillers under the chute when the plate 23 is retracted. Theplate 23 is reciprocated by levers 19 fixed on a cross shaft BI, and connected at their upper ends to the plate by short links 82.

One of the levers 19, as' shown in Figures 14 and 16, is connected by a rod 83 to another lever 84 .pivotally mounted on the outside of the frame. This second lever carries a follower roller 86 running in a cam 01 mounted on the cam shaft 59; The cam is designed to impart the proper motion to the plate 23, as described in connection with the setting up of the filler.

As best shown in Figure 13, a pair of spring pressed rollers 98 are provided ahead of the chute,

and between which a filler being discharged is pushed. As shown in Figure 18, the leading edge of plate 23 is provided with an opening 90 to allow the rollers 66 to press the rear end of the filler tightly together. This causes the forward gusset 4 to open up'and insure engagement thereof with the fingers 24. The fingers 24 are carried on cross bars 89, which bars are eccentrically mounted on stub shafts 9| journaled in the frame 41. As shown in Figure 14, the shafts 9| adjacent one side of the machine have gears 92 meshed with a rack 93. This rack is formed on the end of a slide bar 94 connected by a link 96 to a lever 91 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 41. As shown in Figurelfi, the lever 91 carries a follower roller 98 running in a cam 99 mounted on the cam shaft 59. This cam is designed to impart the desired motion to the fingers 24, as described in connection with the setting up of the filler.

As also best shown in Figure 16, the rakes 26 are carried by rods IOI slidably mounted in the frame 41. These rods are slidably connected together at one end by a yoke I02, and this yoke in turn is connected by a short link I03 to the rear end of a lever I04. The lever I04 is fixed at its forward end to a pin I06 journaled on the frame 41. lever I01 having a follower roller I06 riding on the face of a cam I09 mounted on the cam shaft 59. A spring "0 operates to hold the follower roller I03 against the face of the cam. The cam is designed to move the rakes laterally as explained in connection with the setting up of the filler.

The means for depressing the lower rake in order to permit removal of the folded filler is best illustrated in Figures 13 and 15. As there shown, a grooved wheel III is mounted on the rotatably mounted lower rake rod I0l adjacent the yoke I02. A spring 2 is connected between the periphery of this wheel and theupper end of -the yoke I02,- and a pin I I3 is provided on the wheel for engag' Pin I06 alsocarries a forwardly projecting ing the yoketo limit rotation of the wheel. In this normal position, with the pin abutting the yoke, the lower rake tangs are in their upright position.

Rotation of the wheel to depress the rake is effected by a' bar II4 slidably supported in a bracket I I6 and connected at one end to one of the plate moving arms 19. A finger H1 is pivotally mounted on one side of the wheel III, and normally assumes a downwardly extending position, limited by a stop I I0 onthe wheel. In this downwardly extending position of the finger the latteris in position to be engaged by a lug II9 on the slide bar H4. When the bar moves backwardly with the plate 23 the lug II9 carries the finger II1 backwardly to rotate the wheel III and depress the rake 26. Depression of the lower rake at this time permits the folded filler to be removed from the folding devices, as was explained in connection with Figure 10.

As the slide bar II4 continues to move backwardly the lug I I9 finally passes out from under the finger II1; whereupon the spring II2 operates to rotate the rake back up to its vertical position. During the return movement of the slide bar I I4 the lug I I9 rides under the pivoted finger, and when the lug has passed the finger the latter drops back against the stop II8, so that it is again positioned for engagement by the lug II9. The stripper bar which grasps the filler and removes it from the folding devices is best shown in Figures 10, 13, 16, and 1'1. This bar swings from a shaft I23 by arms I22, and carries a series of downwardly projecting fixed jaws I24, each having a spiked movable jaw I26 pivotally mounted adjacent thereto; In Figure 1'1 these jaws are shown open and in position to receive the forwardly projecting tabs 1 of the filler.

As shown in the latter figure, the movable jaws I26 are controlled by levers I21 fixed on the upper ends of the jaw pins. These levers are connected by springs I28 to a bar I29 which is slidably mounted in suitable brackets I30 on the jaw bar 21. Pins I3I are provided on the slide bar I29 adjacent the levers I21 for holding the movable jaws open against .the action of the springs I23 when the slide bar I 29 is moved to'the leftas shown in Figure 17. Movement of the slide bar is controlled by a bell crank I32 pivotally mounted on the bar 21 and having one of its arms disheld open. This position corresponds to that in Figure 13, where the jaw carrying stripper bar 21 is forward and ready to receive a filler. Closing of jaws I26 is controlled-by plate23. As'

shownin Figure -1'1aspring pressed lever I38 is mounted on the frame 41 in front of the stripper bar 21, and carries a pin I39 adapted to be engaged by the advancing plate so that the. lever is pushed back against a pin I4I on the bell crank I32. This movement snaps the bell crank backwardly and shifts the slide bar 129 toward the right to close the jaws I26. Since the filler is completely erected at this time, the closing jaws are in, position to grasp the forwardly projecting tabs 1 of the filler. 'Suitable stops I42 are prefer;-

ably provided on the jaw bar I22, against which 15 the ridge portion 3 of the filler may abut as the effected by a lever I43 connected by a short link I44 to a lever I46 mounted on the end of shaft I23. The lever I43 is pivotally mounted on the frame and carries a follower roller I41 riding in a cam I48 mounted on the cam shaft 59. This cam is designed to give an inward and outward swinging movement to the jaw bar 21, in time with the movement of the plate 23 and other folding devices.

As to the handling of the carton into which the fillers are to be deposited, Figure 13 shows the carton feeding lug 34 mounted on a slidable plate II connected by a link I52 to a lever I53 mounted on a shaft I54. As better shown in Figure 14, the shaft I54 also carries a lever I56 connected by a bar I51 to an arm of a bell crank .I58. The other arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a bar I59 which is pivoted on the face of the wheel I6I mounted on the shaft 6|. This linkage is designed to raise and lower the lug 34 in time with the other movements'of the machine, so that the cartons are discharged from the chute 3I at the proper intervals.

As the collapsed cartons are discharged from the chute 3| they are fed forwardly by the spring pressed feed rollers 36 and over a plate I63 to a dating roll I64. This roll may operate to emboss a suitable date on the carton, or may be used to place any other desirable indicia on the carton. The roll I66 which lies under the dating roll I64 is positively driven by the chain 12, as shown in Figure 14. After leaving the dating roll I64 the carton passes over a plate I61 to the next pair of feeding rollers v31.

From the feed rolls 31 the carton is deposited on the reciprocating table 38, which at this time is moving toward its retracted position. As illustrated in Figure 13, the table 38 is mounted on runners I68 slidably supported on guide ways I69. The table is shifted by a lever I1I mounted on a shaft I12 and pivotally connected at its upper end to the table by a link I13.

As shown in Figures 14 and 16, the shaft I12 also carries ashort lever I14 pivotally connected to the lower end of a bell crank I16 by a link I11. The upper end of this bell crank, as best shown in Figure 16, carries a'follower roller I11 running in a cam I18 mounted on the cam shaft 59. This cam is designed to reciprocate the table 38 from the retracted position shown in Figure 11 to the extended position shown in Figure 13.

As the table moves to its retracted position and a carton is fed over it and against the back stops 39 by the rollers 31, the hold down plate 4I moves down on the table to hold the cover and tuck of the carton. This downward movement of the plate M is controlled by a trigger I8I fixed on the shaft I12 and bearing against a rod I82 which supports the hold down plate. This rod is slidably held in a. guide I83, and is pressed against the trigger I8I by a spring I84. By this arrangement the hold down plate 4| is lowered when the table is retracted, and is elevated when the table is advanced. Preferably two hold down plates are provided, one on each side of the table 38.

The operation of 'the back stops 39 is best illustrated in Figure 16. As there shown, the stops are formed on the upper ends of levers I86 pivotally mountedon the frame 41 and connected for movement together by a cross link I81. One of the levers I86 is connected to ,the lower end of a control lever I88 by a link I89. This control lever is pivotally mounted on the frame and carries on its upper end a follower roller I9I riding on the face of a cam I92 mounted on the cam shaft 59. This cam is designed to lower the stops 39 against the foot flange 2I to hold the rear end of the carton down on the table. After a filler has been deposited in the carton, the cam I92 operates'to swing these stops out of the way so that the filled carton may be pushed forwardly as the table advances.

The opening'hook 42 is given a predetermined motion by a follower roller I94 riding in a fixed cam I96. This cam is designed to give the'hook an upward and rearward movement, best suited to open the carton. The book is hauled backby a lever I91 fixed on a shaft I 98 pivotally connected at its forward end to an extension I 99 of the hook. This pivoting of the hook back of the follower roller I94 also assists in giving the desired movement to the hook. Preferably two of these hooks are provided, working side by side, as shown in Figure 16.

The hook operating shaftI98 is rotated by a pinion 20I engaged by a rack 202. See Figure 13. This rack is reciprocated by a bell crank 203 having one arm connected to the rack by a link 204, and having the other arm connected to a lever 206 by a bar 201. As shown in Figure 16, the lever 206 is pivotally mounted on the frame 41 and carries a follower roller 208 running in a cam 209 mounted on the shaft 6|. This cam is designed to haul back on the hooks 42 when a carton is ready to be opened.

Inward rotation of the plates 43 to press out the ends of the carton is effected by a pinion 2II 'fixed on the lower end of the plate holding rod 2I2, and engaging a rack 2 I3. This rack is connected by a link'2I4 to a lever 2I6 fixed on the shaft 2I5. Another lever 2, also fixed on the shaft 2I5, is connected to a lever 2I8 by a bar 2I9. The lever 2I8 is pivotally mounted on the frame 41 and carries a follower roller 22I riding on a cam 222 fixed on the shaft GI. This cam is preferably made'in two halves, so that the halves may be separated or pressed together to vary the shape of the cam. The shape of this cam is adjusted to swing the plates 43 inwardly at the moment the hooks 42 raise up the front side wall of the carton. Backward rotation of the plates 43 is not effected until after the carton with its enclosed filler has been moved forwardly and out of engagement with the plates.

A filler is moved downwardly and placed into an opened carton by the transfer arm 28 which is pivoted for free .rotation about the cam shaft 59. As shown in Figure 13, rotation of the arm is effected by a segment gear 224 mounted on a shaft 226 and meshing with a gear 221 connected with the arm 28. A lever 228 is also fixed on the shaft 226 and is connected to an operating lever 229 by a link 23I. As better shown in Figure 16, the lever 229 is pivotally mounted on the frame 41 and carries a. follower roller 232 riding in a cam 234 mounted on the cam shaft 59. This cam is designed to oscillate the segment gear 224 and swing the arm 28 up and down in time with the other cooperating elements of the machine.

At thetime the stripper bar 21 swings back with a folded filler, the transfer arm 28 is positioned as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 10. In the latter figure, the stripper bar and filler are shown at an intermediate position during the back swing. When the stripper bar has completed its back swing the filler is positioned so that its ridge portions 3 may be engaged by the transfer arm 2'6 as the latter swings downwardly. At the instant of engagement, a jaw 23'! on the arm 28 closes to grasp the filler. The operation of the jaw is controlled by a parallel linkage 238 pivotally mounted on the arm 28, and arranged so that the rear end of the linkage rides up on a fixed cam 239- to force the jaw open against the action of a spring 2M when the transfer arm is in the up position.' Upon downward movement of the transfer arm 28 the linkage rides off the cam'239 to close the jaw 231; and this closing is timed to grasp the filler at the instant when the transfer arm moves into engagement with the filler.

As the filler is picked up by the transfer arm 28 the jaws I26 on the stripper bar are opened. This opening is effected by a spring pressed finger 242 adapted to engage the pin MI and press the bell crank I32 backwardly to open jaws H6. The finger 242 is moved forwardly, by a slide rod 243 having a block 244! at its forward end adapted-to be engaged by the lever 19. See Figure 13. The

block- 244 is positioned so that the finger 242 is moved forwardly to open the jaws [126 at the proper instant.

While the stripper bar is back, andbefore the transfer arm 28 swings down with the filler, the lower rake is returned to its upright position so as not to be in the way of the down moving filler. The transfer arm 28 now swings down carrying the filler, and the timing is such that a carton is standing open to receive the filler as the arm approaches the carton. As the arm 28 pushes the filler into the carton, the parallel linkage 238 rides against another fixed cam 246 to force the jaw 23'! open. At this instant the table 38 advances to carry the carton and enclosed filler out of engagement with the arm 28. As soon as the filler is clear of the arm 28 the latter returns to its upward position to receive another filler.

Whilewe have shown means for both setting 7 up the fillers and placing the same in cartons, it is-understood that a machine could be made embodying only the means for setting the fillers. Such a machine would perform the operations shown'in Figures 5 to 10. In this case, the folded fillers could be dropped from the stripper bar 21 onto a conveyor from which they might then be taken and positioned into cartons by hand.

We claim:

1. A machine for settingup collapsiblefillers having partitions and placing the same in cartons, comprising means for setting up a filler and erecting its partitions, means for holding a carton, and means for positioning the erected filler in the carton.

2. A machine for setting up collapsible fillers having partitions and placing the same in collapsible cartons, comprising means for setting up a filler and erecting its partitions, means for opening a carton, and means for positioning the erected filler in the opened carton.

3. A machine for setting up collapsible fillers and placing the same in collapsible cartons, comprising means for setting up the fillers, means for feeding the cartons in succession to a filler receiving-position, means for opening a carton in said position, and means comprising a pivotally mounted arm for receiving an erected filler and depositing it in a carton. V

A. A machine for setting up a filler and placing the same in a carton, said filler having collapsed walls and partitions, comprising means for distending the-walls of the filler, means for erecting the partitions, means for moving the walls into engagement with the erected partitions, means for holding a carton, and means for positioning a filler in the carton.

5. A machine for setting up a filler having collapsed partitions, comprising means for holding the filler, and a slidably mounted rake movable longitudinally of said filler for erecting the partitions.

6. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, comprising a plate engaging one of the gussets, a pair of fingers engaging the other gusset, means for moving the fingers outwardly, and means for simultaneously advancing the plate to unfold the opposing gusset and to move its gusset into engagement with the unfolded gusset.

v '7. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, one of the gussets being creased and slotted to provide hinged tabs, comprising a plate engaging the untabbed gusset, a pair of fingers engaging the tabbed gusset, means for moving the fingers outwardly, means for simultaneously advancing the plate to unfold the tabbed gusset, means for turning out the hinged tabs, and means for continuing the advancement of the plate to move the untabbed gusset into engagement with the outturned tabs.

8. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, comprising means for holding the envelopes vertically stacked, a plate movably mounted to engage a gusset of the underlying envelope for removing said envelope from the stack, a pair of fingers arranged to engage the other gusset of the removed envelope, means for moving the fingers outwardly,

and means for simultaneously advancing the plate to unfold the opposing gusset and to move its gussets into engagement with the unfolded gusset.

9. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and-folded to form an .envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, comprising a plate'engaging one of the gussets, a pair of rotatably mounted fingers engaging the other gusset, means for rotating the fingers outwardly, and means for simultaneously advancing the plate to unfold the opposing gusset and to move its gusset into engagement with the unfolded gusset.

10. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, one of the gussets being creased and slotted to provide hinged tabs, comprising a plate engaging the untabbed gusset, a pair of fingers engaging the tabbed gusset, means for moving the fingers outwardly, means for simultaneously advancing of fingers engaging the other gusset, means forremoving the filler from said setting up mechanism.

12. A machine for opening a carton having infolded side and end walls, comprising means for holding down one of the side walls of the carton, means for lifting up the other side wall, and means for pressing out the end walls.

13. A machine for opening a carton having infolded side and end walls, comprising means for holding down one of the side walls of the carton, a hook for lifting up the other side wall, and plates for pressing out the end walls.

14. The method of setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, said gussets having locking means thereon; which comprises pressing inwardly on one of the gussets 'while simultaneously unfolding the other gusset,

and continuing to press inwardly on said first gusset to move the latter into locking engagement with theunfolded gusset.

15. The method of setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, one of said gussets being creased and slotted to provide hinged tabs, and .the other gusset and said tabs having interlocking means thereon; which comprises pressing inwardly on the untabbed gusset while simultaneously unfolding the tabbed gusset, turning out the hinged tabs, and continuing to press inwardly on the untabbed gusset to move the latter into locking engagement with the outturned tabs of the unfolded gusset.

16. A machine for setting up fillers having collapsed walls and partitions, comprising a shute for holding a stack of the collapsed fillers, a plate for engaging a filler and removing it from the shute, means operable upon movement of said plate for distending the walls of the filler, means for erecting the partitions, and means for further advancing-the plate to move the walls into engagement with the erected partitions.

17. A machine for setting up a filler from a blank creased and folded to form an envelope having oppositely disposed infolded gussets, comprising a plate engaging one of the gussets, a pair of fingers engaging the other gusset, and means for moving the fingers outwardly and simultaneously effecting a relative movement between the plate and fingers for unfolding one of the gussets and moving the other gusset into engagement with it.

18. A machine for setting up collapsible fillers and placing the same in cartons, comprising means for setting up a filler, means for holding a carton in a position spaced vertically from the setting up means and facing toward the latter, and a revolvable arm for receiving the filler from the setting up means and swinging it downwardly into the carton.

19. A machine for setting up collapsible fillers .and placing the same in cartons, comprising means for setting up a filler, means for holding a carton in a position spaced vertically from the setting up means and facing toward the latter, a revolvable arm for receiving the filler from the setting-up means and swinging it downwardly into the carton, jaws on the arm for gripping the filler, and means timed with the movement of the arm for closing the jaws to engage the filler adjacent the setting-up means and for opening the jaws to release the filler when inserted in the carton.

20. A machine for setting up a collapsed filler and placing the same in a carton having collapsible side walls with a cover extending from one edge of one of said walls, means for feeding the carton to a filler receiving position, means pressing downwardly on the cover for holding the carton in said position, means lifting upwardly on a side wall for opening the carton, means for setting up the filler, and means for receiving the filler from the setting-up means and inserting it in the opened carton.

21. A machine for' setting up a collapsed filler and placing the same in a carton having collapsible side walls with a cover extending from one edge of one of said walls and a leg extending from the other edge, means for feeding the carton to a filler receiving position, means pressing downwardly on the cover and leg for holding the carton in said position, means lifting upwardly on a 'side wall for opening the carton, means for setting up the filler, and means for receiving the filler from the setting up means and inserting it in the opened carton.

GEORGE F. FORD. WALTER F. PITTMAN. 

